Episode 1/27

@ Joyful Sleigh Ride
Shiny and Ziggy have been given a free map to help them enjoy their Winter Tour! Before unfolding it, they read the cover:
Glacial Gliding
Your pet is welcomed in the morning by the jingle of sleigh bells, and two trusty brown steeds provide the transport for today's trip. Your pet will need to wrap up warmly for the ride! Along the way to the day's main event, the pets view winter flora transformed and beautified by frost, and they pass snowbound chalets. Today's tour provides an exciting opportunity to go paragliding! What splendid views can be seen while soaring in thermal currents high above the ground! After a safe landing, the day winds to its peaceful close of hot drinks, a log fire and another super house to explore.
Joyful Sleigh Ride
When pioneer Nebraskans wanted to travel somewhere fast, they waited for snowfall. That was the signal for sleighs to appear, making their winter journeys easier and very pleasurable . "The most pleasant of anticipations fill our hearts when we hear the merry jingle of sleighbells," said the Lincoln Evening News on 11 December, 1897, "or when someone tells us that the ice is thick enough to hold a horse." A horse-drawn sleigh, its bed partially filled with hay, was a luxury vehicle. The jingle of the sleigh bells and the merry cries of the occupants could be heard for a long distance over the empty prairie on a still, crisp wintry night. Early newspapers in the files of the Nebraska State Historical Society frequently mentioned sleighing parties in their columns.

Episode 2/27

@ Wintry Scenic Road
“Isn’t this amazing, Sadie?” declared Shiny. “I’m seeing so many flowers and shrubs that I’ve never seen before!”
Wintry Scenic Road
The most routine journey by road can be transformed into a beautiful winter wonderland by a fall of snow.

Episode 3/27

@ Celebration of Frost
“Oh hello, Shiny!” cried Iolanthe. “Didn’t we bump into each other in the Boho artists' quarter a while ago?”
Celebration of Frost
Freezing conditions over a period of several days leads to the growth of the most dramatic hoar frost formations. Fallen leaves and the twigs of trees are coated with beautiful crystalline creations clearly visible in the pale sunshine.

Episode 4/27

@ Lone Leaf
“Isn’t this amazing, Elfling?” declared Shiny. “I’m seeing so many flowers and shrubs that I’ve never seen before!”
Lone Leaf
What makes a leaf, a single leaf, cling to
a barren winter-swept tree on a cool
rainy day in late February? Its fellow
friends having fallen months before with
winter’s first blast, swept away and
forgotten. O leaf, why do you cling so,
lonely on a branch,
clinging, vainly, foolishly,
not knowing when it is time
to let go?
Do you know something we don’t?
Is your destiny to be surrounded
by friends again when warmth and glow
return to the world? Are you to serve
a bigger purpose with your resistance
to the way things are or should be?
Or . . . can you just not let go, understanding
your time has come?
Agency, serendipity, resistance, complacency.
We’ll never know why that lone leaf clings so,
why other lone leaves on other trees
share mutual experiences all alone.cc (C) Ian Hochberg, 2018

Episode 5/27

@ Hip Hip Hooray!
“A picture of this would look lovely printed on Christmas cards, wouldn't it, Shiny?” Ringo said.
“It certainly would, Ringo!" said Shiny.
Hip Hip Hooray!
These red berries, or hips come from a large range of wild rose species. They are edible and high in Vitamin C. They can be bunched or solitary, on spiny or, more usually, hook-thorned arching stems. They can be found in hedges and deep woodland.

Episode 6/27

@ Snowbound Cabins
“I'm glad I remembered the sugarlumps to thank our sleigh horses, Shiny,” said Cheery. "It's a great way to travel through the snow!"
Shiny agreed. “It's a brilliant start to the day, Cheery!"

Snowbound Cabins
Sometimes record snowfall buries buildings and homes! In some countries, when winter rolls around, the locals hunker down in their wooden cabins with log burners and slow-cooked stews.

Episode 7/27

@ Heliotrope Winter Tree
“Oh hello, Shiny!” cried Paddy. “Didn’t we bump into each other in the Boho artists' quarter a while ago?”
Heliotrope Winter Tree
This tree allows the winter landscape to burst into glorious life! The frost does little to diminish the vivid heliotrope hue.

Episode 8/27

@ Tree in Wintertime
“You know, Cicero said 'If you have a garden and a library you have everything you need',” mused Azure Beauty.
"I don't think I've met Cicero," said Shiny. "Is he on this tour?"
Tree in Wintertime
Winters may be long and cold, but in the outside world some trees can allay that dullness and transform it into a place of natural beauty with visually arresting textures and colours. Everything combines to make an attractive winter scene.

Episode 9/27

@ Red Berry Branches
“You know, Cicero said 'If you have a garden and a library you have everything you need',” mused Bubbles.
"I don't think I've met Cicero," said Shiny. "Is he on this tour?"
Red Berry Branches
Red berries on shrubs and trees look cheerful in the wintertime, gleaming in the sun or accentuated with a dusting of snow. Some flora display beautiful fruits in late summer or autumn, which persist into winter and are a useful food source, attracting hungry birds. In a glorious display of crimson, scarlet or vermilion, their attractive berries adorn their branches in eye-catching clusters, which gleam like jewels in the sunlight.

Episode 10/27

@ Frosty Leaves
Shiny opened her rucksack to find her hat. paws could see Shiny had a beret, a balaclava, a cricket cap, a Tam o' Shanter, a woolly bobble hat, a beanie, a deerstalker hat and a Peruvian chullo!
“Did you bring a Stetson too?” paws asked Shiny.
Frosty Leaves
Green leaves rimed with frost give a Christmassy feel to this snapshot of nature in hibernation until the spring.

Episode 11/27

@ Snowy Pine
“Oh my goodness!” cried Violet Flame. "Have you seen what's in store for us on this trip?"
Shiny looked mildly alarmed. “It's not Granny Violet playing the spoons again, is it?"
"No! This looks really dangerous!"
Shiny perked up, interested. "Is Fresco going to saw a pet in half? It's okay, it's just an illusion."
A snowball hit her in the face.
Snowy Pine
What could be more evocative of the Christmas season than an evergree pine tree in the snow?

Episode 12/27

@ Meadow Aglow
“Oh hello, Shiny!” cried Bear. “Didn’t we bump into each other in the Boho artists' quarter a while ago?”
Meadow Aglow
Alpine meadows have a dense carpet of short grass and abound in brightly coloured flowering plants. According to the types of grasses that predominate, there are herbaceous, sedge, cobresia, and mixed-grass meadows. These meadows are used for seasonal grazing.

Episode 13/27

@ Jingle Bells Sleigh
“A picture of this would look lovely printed on Christmas cards, wouldn't it, Shiny?” Zippy said.
“It certainly would, Zippy!" said Shiny.
Jingle Bells Sleigh
Trotting through the snow on a one-horse open sleigh
O'er the fields we go laughing all the way!

Episode 14/27

@ Winter Plant
"I think I'll take a cutting of the plant over there," said Shiny. "The label says it's 'vigorous' and 'fearless'."
Cocoa sniffed. "That's gardeners' talk for 'an invasive species that will take over your entire garden if permitted'!"
Winter Plant
Autumn has its own glory, with brilliant foliage and golden grasses. However, winter shrubs can appear skeletal as deciduous shrubs drop their leaves in preparation for winter dormancy. But come the spring, buds will appear and unfurl.

Episode 15/27

@ Snowy Conifer
"slider, was that last one we looked at a thorn bush with roses? Or a rose bush with thorns?" asked Shiny.
Snowy Conifer
Coniferous trees typically do not lose their greenery in winter. Their leaves, often called “needles,” stay on the trees year round. Because of this, they are often called “evergreens.” These trees are well adapted to survive cold temperatures!

Episode 16/27

@ Soar and Explore
Hot Stuff was distracted by the sounds of loud rustling as Shiny unfolded a very large tourist map, in the course of which she succeeded in knocking Hot Stuff’s hat off. “Put that away, do!” snapped Hot Stuff. “We’re about to pose beside this amazing scene—the picture will be of your map if you don’t fold it up PDQ!”
Soar and Explore
Give paragliding a go and experience the thrill of unpowered flight! Enjoy the weightless feeling of soaring through the skies with beautiful views at your feet on an unforgettable experience.

Episode 17/27

@ Gliding Galore
“You know, I'd like to spend a whole week here, Shiny!” said Ucil.
"It's very nice indeed—but you never know, the next leg of the tour might be even better!" said Shiny.
Gliding Galore
To dip your toe into the exciting world of paragliding, you can take a "tandem" ride with an instructor. While you revel in the stunning aerial views, the guide will launch your trip, expertly navigate invisible thermals and bring you safely back down to land.

Episode 18/27

@ Joyride Paraglide
"Dave, was that last one we looked at a thorn bush with roses? Or a rose bush with thorns?" asked Shiny.
Joyride Paraglide
Experience the thrill of unpowered flight, enjoying breathtaking bird’s-eye views of the scenery below!

Episode 19/27

@ Tangerine Sunset
"How on earth do you identify what this is from the thousands of things it could be?" asked Casper.
"Well," said Shiny, "you go through a checklist. Like what sort of leaves does it have, how are they arranged on the stem, do they have stalks, what's its habitat; that kind of thing. I'll lend you a book when we get home."
Tangerine Sunset
Just drink in this beautiful vista of the sun setting across a range of snowy mountain peaks! What an incredible view, whether you are on snowshoes, skis or are paragliding, to see the sky awash with pink and orange hues as the daylight fades.

Episode 20/27

@ Bashful Bear
“What have you got in your tote bag, Flutterbye?” asked Tweety Pi. “It looks very full!”
“I’ve come prepared for anything snowy, Tweety Pi,” responded Flutterbye. “There’s snowshoes, snow boots, Wellington boots, ear muffs, a pair of grippy things—you name it, I’ve got it!”
Bashful Bear
Aw, who can resist the pleading face of this forlorn little ted? He just wants to be picked up for a cuddle, and will be your friend for life.

Episode 21/27

@ Club Hub
“I could stay here forever, Shiny,” said Garnet. “This is an amazing place!”
“Well, you never know what lies ahead, Garnet. I wouldn't be surprised if the next stop is even better!” said Shiny.
Club Hub
The dark earth tones of this room provide a warm, club-like interior and plenty of space to spread out, eat a hot meal and then pass under the graceful archway to congregate by the fireplace at the far end of the room.

Episode 22/27

@ Superior Interior
"I wish I knew more about horticulture, Jormundand" said Shiny. "Sometimes I can't tell if something's a plant or a weed!"
"Oh, there's a sure-fire way of telling the difference, Shiny! Pull on it—if it comes out of the ground easily, it's a really valuable plant.”
Superior Interior
The more uncluttered the environment, the more restful it can be. This formal interior in shades of cream and brown, provides a haven to relax in front of the fire, while the greenery "brings the outside in" and purifies the air.

Episode 23/27

@ Cosy Log Fire
Punky was thinking about comforting hot chocolate drinks and the cosy warmth of log fires. "So do other countries say hygge to mean the same thing, Shiny?" she asked.
“I think other countries might have their own words. In Germany they have a word that is a near equivalent. Gemütlichkeit."
"Bless you," said Punky absently.

Cosy Log Fire
What bliss! Draw your chair up to the fireside and toast your paws in the glow of a real fire.

Episode 24/27

@ Hyggekrog
“I'm glad I remembered the sugarlumps to thank our sleigh horses, Shiny,” said Franz. "It's a great way to travel through the snow!"
Shiny agreed. “It's a brilliant start to the day, Franz!"

Hyggekrog
Curl up in an armchair in a nook of this cosy book-room with a novel or biography selected from the ample choice and while away a cold winter evening by the fire. Or just relax in the warmth with hot chocolate and watch through the window as the rain or snow falls outside.

Episode 25/27

@ Mellow Violin
“I could stay here forever, Shiny,” said Crocodile Beauty. “This is an amazing place!”
“Well, you never know what lies ahead, Crocodile Beauty. I wouldn't be surprised if the next stop is even better!” said Shiny.
Mellow Violin
In the dimly lit quiet corner of the book-lined study lies a violin, a beautiful shade of varnished red brown, an hour-glass shape with graceful, intricate curvature. Put a sheet of music on the stand and draw the bow across the strings of this rich instrument resonating its high yet warm, mellow tones.

Episode 26/27

@ Prink that Drink
Shiny is tired out and ready to go home when Midnite comes along. "Wow! You find a special prize!" says Midnite. Shiny turns round and found it was just behind them!
Frosty & Floral
The graceful petals of these winter blooms reaching up towards the sky complement the teal leaves with their pale mauve hue.
Prink that Drink
At the end of a tiring day, what can be better than relaxing with a hot, milky drink to help you unwind and send you off to sleep?

Episode 27/27

@ Glacial Gliding
Shiny has enjoyed her winter tour and is now ready to go to her own snug, warm home. Baile Átha Cliath feels just the same!!
Glacial Gliding
Your pet is welcomed in the morning by the jingle of sleigh bells, and two trusty brown steeds provide the transport for today's trip. Your pet will need to wrap up warmly for the ride! Along the way to the day's main event, the pets view winter flora transformed and beautified by frost, and they pass snowbound chalets. Today's tour provides an exciting opportunity to go paragliding! What splendid views can be seen while soaring in thermal currents high above the ground! After a safe landing, the day winds to its peaceful close of hot drinks, a log fire and another super house to explore.
Shiny has completed the quest! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can take part in "Huskies, Hijinks and Hygge"!